Black bear abundance and seasonal forage habitat values in Whistler, British Columbia

Forage habitat values and bear abundance were identified as leading research needs within the RMOW to achieve "Bear Smart Status", a recognition program used to recognize communities that are bear proofing their community and ultimately reducing human and bear conflicts. Hair samples were collected using non-invasive barbed wire hair snagging sites to gather hair roots for genetic tags. I used coarse scale and fine scale methods for delineating bear forage habitat values at hair snagging sites. I calculated habitat value indices for bear foods in each season. I examined the relationship between two methods for delineating forage habitat value and between forage habitat value, distance from urban areas, and bear abundance at hair snagging sites. Fif'ty-nine individuals were identified, 30 female and 29 male. I found there was a positive correlation between these variables for females but not for males; there was also a significant correlation between the methods for delineating habitat value.